Digging/trenching attachment or assembly that is horizontally movable with detachable tree boom for pivoting front end loader type machines

ABSTRACT

The invention, a horizontally moveable digging/trenching bucket attachment with boom, for machines (tractor, skid steer . . . ) with pivoting front end loader allows for a machine with limited capabilities to be used for various operations through simple detaching of the standard large, wide bucket and attaching the invention. This invention is unique and desirable in that it eliminates the need for multiple machines and or multiple attachments to complete operations that can be accomplished by a single machine with the attached invention. The invention is comprised of a horizontally movable digging bucket with steel teeth having a fixed or adjustable trenching plow and an attachable/detachable boom. Due to the limitations of a front end loader&#39;s motion, the unique design of the invention will add the capability of horizontal motion for maximum efficiency.

The present invention is a detachable digging bucket with trencher and tree boom that can be attached to any machine with a pivoting and lifting capacity front end loader of a general type as described in U.S. Pat. 3,231,117 using a quick attach/release plate of a type as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,521. The invention shown in FIG. 1 can be made up of but not limited to the following elements: the mounting plate 1 to which is attached a horizontally moveable digging bucket 2 comprised of attached hardened 3 teeth 3, a plow plate 4, 4 long flat bars 5, 2 solid steel pipes 6, 4 hollow short steel pipes 7, 2 hollow longer steel pipes 8, 2 steel angle irons 9, a removable tree boom 10, a large fly bolt 11 to lock invention horizontally in desired place, and a large bolt 12 to hold the tree boom in place, and end caps 13 on the outer ends of angle irons 9 to hold the solid steel pipes in place. The tree boom, FIG. 3, is stabilized by a pivotable bar 15. It is attached by bolts 12 a as shown in FIG. 1 with one end attached to an extension 14 added to the upper hollow pipe 8 as shown in FIG. 2. Fixed components are best secured together by means of welding, but may be attached by means of adhesives and/or screws, nuts, and/or bolts, and/or pin and rod. The teeth 3 are mounted on the lower open edge of the digging bucket, and the plow may be welded to the bottom of the bucket and pointed towards the machine or made adjustable, (FIG. 2). Two flat bars 5 are attached to each lateral side of the bucket. Each of the bars is attached parallel to the upper and lower edge of the side, with the bars angling towards the teeth 3 end of the bucket 2. The 2 hollow longer steel pipes 8 are welded horizontally to the ends of the flat bars 5 protruding from the closed end of the bucket 2. The 4 short hollow pipes 7 in FIG. 1 are welded to the ends of the 2 angle iron pieces 9, which in turn are welded to the front of the mounting plate 1 along the vertical edges of the plate. Once the large, wide loader bucket is removed via quick release, the rear of the mounting plate 1 (facing the machine) can be attached to the machine via means of quick attach/release or may be permanently affixed (welded) to the machine. The digging bucket 2 with welded teeth 3 and trenching plate 4 is then connected to the mounting plate (attached to the machine), in the following fashion: the 2 hollow pipes 8 of the bucket are aligned to the hollow pipes 7 on the mounting plate and the bucket is in turn attached to the mounting plate by sliding the solid steel pipes 6 through all aligned hollow pipes 7 and 8. The solid pipes 6 are secured in place with the four end caps 13. This method of attaching the bucket to the plate affixed to the machine ensures maximum strength and flexibility in positioning (sliding the bucket horizontally), and adjustment of the digging/trenching attachment. Additionally it allows for ease in attaching and removing the invention from the machine to allow for flexibility in use of the machine as well. Although this is the preferred means of attaching for maximum flexibility and strength, use of the invention digging/trenching attachment can use other means of attachment to machine including but not limited to: (a) permanently affixing the digging/trenching bucket by means of welding, adhesives, and/or screws, nuts, and/or bolts to the plate; (b) as well as removable attachment by means of slits on plate and hooks or tabs on bucket to insert into slits. A large fly nut bolt can be inserted into a hole at the top of the top long hollow pipe and tightened down into the solid steel pipe to lock bucket into desired place. The tree boom 10, FIG. 3, is easily added by slipping it over the center tooth 3, FIG. 2, on the bucket and securing it as seen in FIG. 1 with nuts and/or bolts 12 and 12 a, and/or pins, and/or clips. Further, this invention can include one or more of the following: (a) hydraulic pistons for digging bucket pivoting and/or strength and/or (b) hydraulic pistons for sliding bucket from side to side. It should further be noted that while steel is the preferred material for all elements of the invention, particularly A-36 steel, AR-plate steel, and/or stainless steel, to ensure strength and durability. Additionally, (c) other materials can be used to manufacture the invention including but not limited to any other metal or alloy; (d) dimensions of attachment and bucket can be adjusted to fit machine and purpose for use; (e) depending on width of the bucket attachment, additional or fewer teeth can be used for uniform digging and strength.

Particular to this invention is the flexibility it offers owners/operators of machines with pivoting front end loaders (tractors, skid steer loaders . . . ). These machines are designed with a limited capacity and use due to the nature of the large, wide bucket that they are known for. For example, a simple tractor front end loader is limited in it's capabilities to dig holes, trenches, or lift heavy objects—such as landscape trees, without causing damage to the trunk. Various hydraulic attachments and/or other machines such as a backhoe, tree boom, and trencher would be needed to perform those tasks. The invention attachment simply turns a basic tractor or front end loader into a backhoe, trencher, and tree boom; thus resulting in a more cost effective and efficient tool for individuals who require various machines to complete a job. Specifically, the invention digging/trenching attachment allows for digging small or large holes as well as dumping and/or removing of dirt or rock and other materials. The bucket can also serve to dig wide trenches for landscape, excavating, and construction purposes. The teeth on the bucket permit digging in hard ground. Additionally, ropes, chains, or tree straps can be hooked onto the tree boom bar to allow for lifting of heavy material without damage. The plow allows for narrow trenching as needed for example, when laying irrigation pipe. To allow for preference of owner/operator, the mounting plate can be permanently affixed or detachable. Although originally intended as an invention to meet the various needs of landscapers and tree farmers, this invention can clearly assist in construction and excavating purposes as well. 

1. A horizontally moveable digging/trenching bucket attachment with tree boom for a machine (tractor, skid steer . . . ) with pivoting front end loader comprising but not limited to: a mounting plate or structural member providing the same mechanical supports as the plate; a digging bucket with attached teeth; an attachable plow plate with either forward or backward alignment; and a tree boom attachable to the bucket
 2. The multifunction attachment of claim 1 without a provision for horizontal movement.
 3. The multifunction attachment of claim 1 without an attachable plow plate.
 4. The multifunction attachment of claim 1 without an attachable tree boom.
 5. The multifunction attachment of claim 1 without an attachable tree boom and plow plate.
 6. A horizontally moveable digging/trenching bucket attachment with tree boom for a machine (tractor, skid steer . . . ) with pivoting front end loader comprising but not limited to: a mounting plate or structural member providing the same mechanical supports as the plate; a digging bucket with attached teeth; an attachable plow plate with either forward or backward alignment; 4 long flat bars; 2 solid steel pipes; 4 hollow short steel pipes; 2 hollow longer steel pipes; 2 steel angle iron; and a tree boom attachable to the bucket; wherein the teeth are mounted on the lower open edge of the bucket, and a plow is welded to the bottom of the bucket and pointed towards the machine rear or away from it; two flat bars are attached to each lateral side of the bucket, wherein each of the bars is attached parallel to the upper and lower edge of the side, resulting in the bars angling towards the open end of the bucket; the 2 hollow longer steel pipes are welded horizontally to the ends of the flat bars protruding from the closed end of the bucket; the 4 short hollow pipes are then welded to the ends of the 2 angle iron pieces which in turn are welded to the front of the mounting plate along the vertical edges of the plate; the rear of the mounting plate is attached to the machine via means of quick release; the digging bucket with welded teeth and trenching plate are then connected to the mounting plate via the 2 steel pipes in the following fashion: the 2 hollow pipes of the bucket are aligned to the hollow pipes on the plate and the bucket is in turn attached to the plate by sliding the solid steel pipes through all aligned hollow pipes including a simple mechanism to lock all movable parts in place.
 7. The invention of claim 6 comprising of a removable tree boom for lifting flexibility.
 8. The invention of claim 6 comprising of a permanently affixed mounting plate to the machine front loader, in lieu of a quick release mounting plate.
 9. The invention of claim 6 comprising of slits on mounting plate and hooks/tabs on bucket that insert into slits on mounting plate to attach bucket to the machine.
 10. The invention of claim 6 comprising of a fly nut bolt placed into a hole a the top of one small hollow pipe and tightened down onto solid steel pipe to lock bucket in desired place.
 11. The invention of claim 6 comprising of hydraulic pistons for digging bucket strength and pivoting.
 12. The invention of claim 6 comprising of hydraulic pistons for sliding bucket from side to side. 